Woman nabbed for kidnap try on toddler

MANILA, Philippines — A woman was arrested in Caloocan City on Thursday night for allegedly trying to kidnap a three-year-old boy.

The toddler was playing along E. Castillo street in Barangay 31 when Karen Tiongco reportedly snatched him and tried to flee, said Lt. Col. Ferdinand del Rosario, assistant police chief.

The boy’s uncle saw the incident and alerted barangay watchmen, who arrested Tiongco, 27, a native of San Luis, Pampanga.

While being questioned by barangay officials, Tiongco reportedly became incoherent and took off all her clothes.

The boy’s relatives were not convinced, saying it was the second time a woman tried to kidnap a child in their area and did the same antics when arrested.

Mayor Oscar Malapitan said the incident was an isolated case and residents should not be worried about reports of child kidnappings.

He, however, instructed police officers and barangay officials to be vigilant and parents not to be complacent.

Del Rosario said they were able to reach Tiongco’s relatives, who confirmed Tiongco suffers from a mental illness and was once treated at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH).

He advised Tiongco’s relatives to present documents that she was indeed treated at the NCMH pending the filing of a charge of attempted kidnapping against her before the Caloocan prosecutor’s office.